'Operation White Buffalo' shuts down Bonita restaurant

Buffalo Chips, a Bonita Springs restaurant, has been temporarily shut down after law enforcement officials say four different employees there sold cocaine and/or marijuana to an undercover officer.

Thursday, March 4th 2010, 6:16 PM EST

Updated:

Friday, March 5th 2010, 5:28 AM EST

BONITA SPRINGS: Buffalo Chips, a Bonita Springs restaurant, has been temporarily shut down after law enforcement officials say four different employees there sold cocaine and/or marijuana to an undercover officer.

Lee County deputies and state agents raided and closed the restaurant after a month long investigation. The sheriff's office says four employees sold drugs to undercover investigators.

Those employees are:

Matthew Rutkowski, 41: Charged with posession and sale of cocaine and marijuana

"These purchases were done with patrons that were here eating dinner--children inside the bar and they had no clue what was going on around them," said Christopher Reeves with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

During the raid, deputies found cocaine and pot inside the restaurant.

Employees were searched and the customers that were inside while the raid went down said they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"Everybody was shocked you know? It never happens here. This is a clean place," said customer Peter Tarra.

The state has suspended the liquor license at Buffalo Chips. But an agent we spoke to said the state will work with the owner, so that the suspension can be lifted.